Red Light Therapy for Ankles: Sprains, Achilles, Arthritis and Gout
Red light therapy for ankles has its most direct support for sprains: a 2024 review of 6 trials with 598 people found less pain on average with light therapy, used alongside ice, support and exercise. The closest evidence for other ankle problems comes from Achilles tendon trials, knee arthritis trials and a small study in acute gout. Below: what each ankle problem has behind it, when to start after an injury, trial settings, warning signs, and how to set up a panel on the floor.
Key takeaways
- A 2024 review of 6 trials with 598 people with an ankle sprain found less pain on average with light therapy, and rated that finding as moderate certainty. Alayat, 2024
- In a 2018 trial of 40 adults with a grade II ankle sprain, 627 nm red LED light added to standard first aid over 6 days eased pain and swelling more than a switched-off LED. Prianti, 2018
- In a 2008 trial of 52 athletes with Achilles tendon pain, adding 820 nm laser light to eccentric exercise lowered pain during activity to 37.3 mm on a 100 mm scale at 8 weeks, against 62.8 mm with placebo. Stergioulas, 2008
- In animal tissue samples, more than 90% of near-infrared light energy was absorbed within the first 10 mm, which puts shallow structures such as the ankle ligaments within reach. Kaub, 2022
- The NHS advises seeing a GP if ankle pain has not improved after 2 weeks of treating it at home. NHS
Does red light therapy for ankles help?
For sprains, the evidence points to modest pain relief alongside first aid and exercise. For tendon pain, arthritis and gout at the ankle, the closest evidence comes from related trials, so light fits as an add-on to the care a doctor or physiotherapist advises.
The ankle suits light well, because its ligaments and tendons sit close under the skin. Cleveland Clinic lists "pain and inflammation associated with ankle tendonitis" among the uses being studied. Cleveland Clinic A 2017 review calls lower inflammation "one of the most reproducible effects" of this light, mostly from cell and animal work. Hamblin, 2017
| Ankle problem | Closest evidence | What it found | Where light fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprain, usually the outer side | Alayat 2024; Prianti 2018 | Less pain on average; less pain and swelling by day 6 in the LED trial | From about day 3, with ice, support and exercise |
| Achilles tendon | Stergioulas 2008; Naterstad 2022 | Less pain during activity when added to exercise | Alongside a loading exercise programme |
| Outer ankle (peroneal) tendons | Lower limb tendon trials | About 18 mm less pain than placebo when added to exercise | After diagnosis, with bracing and physiotherapy |
| Arthritis | Knee trials (Stausholm 2019) | 18.7 mm less pain than placebo at recommended doses | Alongside exercise and medicine |
| Gout | Soriano 2006 | Rapid relief, no significant difference from diclofenac | Once the flare is settling |
How soon after a sprained ankle can you use red light?
From about day 3, over intact skin, once a possible break or other warning signs have been checked. The first 2 to 3 days are for rest, ice, compression and raising the foot, with no heat.
The NHS advises ice for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, and no heat, alcohol or massage for the first couple of days. NHS Most sprains improve within about 2 weeks.
The 2021 physiotherapy guideline says clinicians may use laser light "to reduce pain in the initial phase". JOSPT, 2021 Its strongest grades go to braces or taping, bearing weight progressively and structured exercise, so light is a comfort add-on to those.
Keep ice and light as separate sessions, and let the skin return to normal temperature and feeling in between. Our guide to red light therapy for a sprained ankle has the full timeline and return-to-sport figures.
Does red light help a swollen ankle after an injury?
After a sprain, two small trials found swelling eased faster when light was added to first aid. Swelling without an injury has many causes, so it needs a cause found before light plays any part.
In the 2018 LED trial, pain fell 85.79% with light against 55.73% with a switched-off LED. Prianti, 2018 Swelling fell more with light on days 3 and 6.
In a 2017 trial of 50 adults with a grade II sprain, a clinic lamp used daily for 5 days alongside ice gave better pain, swelling and movement at day 5. Stasinopoulos, 2017 When the 2024 review pooled the trials, swelling and function were not clearly different, so pain is the clearer target.
Everyday ankle swelling is different. The NHS lists long periods of standing or sitting, salty food, some medicines and heart, kidney or liver problems among the causes. NHS Swelling in one ankle with no known cause, or swelling that is red and hot, needs an urgent GP appointment or 111.
Can red light help Achilles pain at the back of the ankle?
Added to eccentric exercise, 820 nm laser light lowered Achilles pain during activity more than placebo in a 2008 trial of 52 athletes. Loading exercise comes first, and light sits alongside it.
On a 100 mm scale, pain was 53.6 mm against 71.5 mm at 4 weeks, and 37.3 mm against 62.8 mm at 8 weeks. Stergioulas, 2008 The light group at 4 weeks was about where the placebo group was at 12.
A 2022 review of 18 trials with 784 people covered the heel, Achilles and kneecap tendons. Naterstad, 2022 Added to exercise, stretching or insoles, light gave about 18 mm less pain than placebo. No trial reported side effects.
Physiotherapy guidance rates tendon loading exercise, "with loads as high as tolerated", as the first treatment. JOSPT, 2024 Our guide to red light therapy for tendonitis covers the Achilles in more depth.
What about pain along the outer ankle bone?
Pain along the outer ankle bone can come from the peroneal tendons, irritated by overuse or an old sprain. The closest evidence comes from other lower limb tendon trials and from sprain trials that lit the same outer side of the ankle.
Cleveland Clinic describes pain along the outer ankle bone and the side of the foot, often with swelling and warmth. Cleveland Clinic Care includes bracing, rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medicine and physiotherapy, and it usually eases within about three to four weeks. The same page says "Never push through foot or ankle pain." Once diagnosed, light on the outer ankle can sit alongside that plan.
Can red light help ankle arthritis?
The closest evidence comes from knee osteoarthritis, where 22 trials with 1,063 people found 18.7 mm less pain than placebo on a 100 mm scale at recommended doses. The ankle is a smaller, shallower joint, and laser dose guidance gives it a smaller dose than the knee.
The knee review set the recommended dose at least 4 J per spot at 785 to 860 nm. Stausholm, 2019 The World Association for Laser Therapy suggests 8 J over 2 to 4 points for the ankle, against 12 J for the knee. WALT, 2010
- Rheumatoid arthritis: often starts in the foot and ankle, usually on both sides. OrthoInfo
- Post-traumatic arthritis: can appear many years after a fracture or dislocation.
- First-line care: low-impact exercise, weight loss, physiotherapy, braces, supportive shoes and anti-inflammatory medicine.
Anyone weighing red light therapy for ankle pain from arthritis can add light to that plan, not use it in place of it. Our guide to red light therapy for arthritis covers the knee and hand trials in full.
Can red light help gout in the ankle?
In a small human study of acute gout, daily laser light eased pain as quickly as diclofenac over 5 days. Ice and prescribed medicine come first, and light fits once the flare is settling.
The NHS lists the ankles among the joints gout can affect. NHS In the 2006 study, 25 people had daily laser light or diclofenac 75 mg twice a day for 5 days, and both brought rapid relief. Soriano, 2006
As heat and swelling ease, keep sessions to 5 to 10 minutes, channels dimmed, at 12 inches. Once settled, use 10 to 15 minutes at about 6 inches. A first attack, or a hot joint with a fever, needs a doctor first. Our guide to red light therapy for gout covers uric acid and the big toe.
What settings did the ankle light trials use?
Sprain trials used a red LED, a clinic lamp or lasers on the skin over about the first week, while the Achilles trial used 12 sessions over 8 weeks. Laser guidance for the ankle suggests daily sessions for 2 weeks, or every other day for 3 to 4 weeks.
| Study | Problem | Light | Dose | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prianti 2018 | Acute sprain | 627 nm red LED | 10 J/cm² | Over 6 days |
| Stasinopoulos 2017 | Acute sprain | Clinic lamp | Not given | Daily for 5 days |
| Bjordal 2006 review | Acute soft tissue injury | Mostly lasers | 5.0 to 19.5 J over 3 or more points | Within 7 days of injury |
| Stergioulas 2008 | Achilles tendon | 820 nm laser | 5.4 J per session over 6 points | 12 sessions in 8 weeks |
| WALT 2010 | Ankle joint | 780 to 860 nm laser | 8 J over 2 to 4 points | Daily for 2 weeks, or every other day for 3 to 4 weeks |
A 2006 review of 9 placebo-controlled trials in acute soft tissue injury found people 2.7 times as likely to report improvement with light. Bjordal, 2006 More is not always better: low doses stimulate and high doses can inhibit. Our guide to red light therapy for hands and feet has the full small joint dose table.
Can you use red light over an ankle brace or cast, or after surgery?
No: light needs bare skin, and a support blocks it, so never take off a cast, splint, boot or brace to use light. Use it on bare skin only once your doctor or physiotherapist agrees the support can come off for a short session.
- After ankle surgery: only once the wound has fully closed and the surgeon agrees.
- Plates, screws or an ankle replacement: ask the surgeon first.
- Broken skin: never over stitches, staples, a graze, a blister or an open wound.
Which ankle symptoms need a doctor before any light?
Anything that suggests a break, a torn tendon, an infection or a blood clot needs a doctor before light. The NHS also says "Do not try to diagnose the cause of your pain yourself."
- Possible break: a snap, grinding or popping at the time of injury, an ankle at an odd angle, or not being able to walk. NHS
- Torn tendon: sudden pain at the back of the ankle with a "popping or snapping sound" needs NHS 111. NHS
- Circulation: a numb, tingling, blue, grey or cold foot needs A&E. NHS
- Infection: a hot, red, swollen joint, especially with a high temperature.
- Blood clot: "throbbing pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh". NHS
- Diabetes: foot pain or swelling with diabetes needs a GP.
How do you use a Kivorla panel on your ankle?
Stand the panel upright on the floor, sit with the bare foot raised so the ankle is about 6 inches away, put the goggles on and run red and near-infrared for 10 to 15 minutes per side. Do this 3 to 5 times a week, and review after 2 to 3 weeks for a sprain or 3 to 4 weeks for ongoing joint or tendon pain.
The 9-Spectrum Red Light Therapy Panel carries 480, 590, 630, 660, 670, 810, 830, 850 and 1060 nm, each dimmable from 1 to 100%. Its 630 nm channel sits near the 627 nm red of the sprain trial, and 810 to 850 nm sit inside the laser range of the joint trials.
- Position: stand it upright on the floor, or hang it low on a door or wall with the included door hook, pulley, hanging cables and screws. Rest the foot on a cushion, ankle level with the middle of the panel.
- Outer ankle: outer side facing the panel, then the inner side as a second timed session if it is also sore.
- Achilles: side-on or from behind the lower leg at about 6 inches.
- Both ankles: about 12 inches, as for both calves in our guide to red light therapy for legs.
- Channels: red and near-infrared on, 480 and 590 nm off; for arthritis and gout, near-infrared high and red lower.
- Eyes and skin: goggles on even at foot level, socks off. The surface stays at or below 40°C; warm is fine, hot means stop.
To stay gentle, dim each wavelength, set the timer from 1 minute, or step back to 12 inches; starting at 12 inches is fine for a tendon. Leave at least 6 hours between 30-minute sessions. With diabetes or reduced feeling in the foot, check with a clinician first. Ibuprofen and naproxen appear on lists of medicines that can make skin more sensitive to light. Our precautions rule out use with photosensitising medication, so anyone taking a medicine should check with their pharmacist or doctor before using the device.
Do not use the panel if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or preparing for pregnancy, have epilepsy or light-triggered seizures, have a thyroid condition or take thyroid medication, have had sunburn in the past 2 weeks, or have Fitzpatrick skin type V or VI. The red light therapy mask is a full-face shell for the face only, so the panel is the device for ankles.
Read the precautions before ordering. Standard shipping to the US, UK and Germany is free. Under our return and refund policy, returns are accepted within 30 days: an unopened device with its seals intact is refunded less a 10% restocking fee, and an opened device that is undamaged and complete is refunded less 20%.
Kivorla devices are general wellness devices, not medical devices, and are not intended to treat ankle injuries, arthritis or gout. See a doctor for an ankle that cannot bear weight, a possible fracture or a hot, swollen joint, and keep to the exercise plan your physiotherapist sets.